10 Artistically Inspiring Asian Movies You Shouldn't Miss

Don’t miss these ten Asian films that are not only wonderful stories, but are presented with fine artistic skill that leaves a lasting impression.

Asia is known for its delicate artworks, clothing and pottery and its movies are no exception to this. Movies from China, Japan and Korea are not only inspiring, but are artistically created to weave a story around through the use of fine cinematography that augments and enthralls the viewers. One is left with not only a great storyline, but with scenery and editing that leaves lasting, beautiful memories.

1. Seventh Code (2013)

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This Japanese film is a suspense film that follows a Japanese girl who travels to Vladivostok and meets a man she’ll never forget but who doesn’t remember her. The film is intriguing as she finds herself lostin a foreign land.

2. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

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This film centers on the art of sushi. The main character is a master chef who has a restaurant in a Tokyo underground station. The film is a documentary that gives a look into the not only the life of the chef, but how he chooses sushi as his art.

3. Our Family (2014)

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This film centers around a mother that is told she has one week to live. An excellent travel into character building, she spends that last week going through a series of revelations that touch the son who is soon to have a baby and another son that can barely scrape together the money to live, as they get themselves together and rally to help their dying mother.

4. Tony Takitani (2004)

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This Japanese film, based on the short story by author Haruki Murakami, tells the story of a successful yet lonely illustrator who has experienced extreme solitude for his whole life. He finally marries and when he does, it sets off dark consequences that will have you thinking long after the movie is over.

5. The Pollen of Flowers (1972)

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This film is one of the first in South Korea to examine a homosexual relationship. This is a story of a well-to-do family in the suburbs whose thoughtless and sometimes cruel actions lead to a surprise finish. The stars are the daughter who loses her virginity with her first period, the son who tries to escape his gay lover by running away with a woman, and the older sister who marries off her youngest sister. In the midst of it all is the housekeeper who has her own secret motivations.

6. Partners in Crime (2014)

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In this Taiwanese film, three teenagers who are on their way to school stumble across a female classmate who is dying. Though the death is ruled a suicide, the three aren’t entirely convinced and spend the movie trying to get to the bottom of the mystery of their own making. Through their investigation, the viewer gets a glimpse into the volatility of the high school social structure that affects them all.

7. The Round Table (2014)

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This Japanese film is a happy-go-lucky trip with an 8-year-old during a grand summer. She collects words in her notebook and a lot of new friends. This whimsical film chronicles her adventures and takes film goers along for the magical ride.

8. Café. Waiting. Love. (2014)

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This Taiwanese film introduces us to a college undergrad who is also a part time café worker. We travel with her as she experiences love, travel dreams, favorite foods and even a brush with the supernatural.

9. Coin Locker Girl (2015)

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This Korean film takes us into the life of a deadly female mobster and the orphan she adopted. But don’t get fooled that the mobster mom suddenly develops maternal instincts. She trains the girl from childhood to do the dirty work in her illegal dealings until the adopted daughter stands up and decides she’s had enough and turns against the woman who raised her.

10. Cat Funeral (2015)

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This charming film is the story of a two young people who build a relationship, only to watch it die as they drift apart and find their separate interests. However, when the cat they had adopted as a couple dies, they get back together for the journey to bury their feline friend, and through flashbacks we see them remembering what drew them together to begin with as they decide to try again.

If you can’t make it to the theater, you can watch these incredible Asian movies online and many more.